Changing to a New Program at BU
Current Boston University students or recent grads in active F-1 status may qualify to change degree level and obtain a new I-20 for a new program of study under the same SEVIS record. You may qualify for Change of Level processing provided you meet all of the following requirements:
- You have been admitted to a full-time program of study
- You have maintained valid F-1 status
- Your next BU program will begin no more than five months after your most recent date of enrollment or the end of any post-completion OPT
The ISSO can issue a “Change of Degree Level” I-20 only after you have completed your first program of study.
Processing steps for graduate and non-degree students:
- You must submit all required documents to your new academic department to complete your international student application.
- Once your records are complete and you have been admitted to your new program, the academic department will forward a request for immigration processing to the ISSO.
- The ISSO will review your file and create a Program Completion Confirmation request for you to complete in the ISSOPortal.
- Once the ISSO has received completed Program Completion Confirmation request, your case will wait in queue for processing based on the program end date documented in the request.
- The ISSO will issue the “change of level” I-20 for the new program of study after all documentation has been received and you have completed your first program of study.
- You must complete new student check-in at the ISSO at the beginning of your new program.
Change of Level Timing:
The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) only allows for one active F-1 student immigration record at a time. Therefore, we must wait until the completion of your current program before we can issue the I-20 for your new program.
Your new I-20 must be issued within 60 days from the completion date of your current academic program or OPT. If you are unable to receive the new I-20 within your grace period, you may be required to travel home and apply for a new F-1 visa to commence your new program of study.
Once your record is complete at the ISSO, you should expect your new I-20 to be issued within 10 business days of the completion date documented on your request, or within 10 days of receiving your completed admissions file, whichever is later.
If you are currently approved for OPT, it is important to note that your OPT work authorization will automatically cease once the new Change of Level I-20 is created. It is important to consider when you want to stop employment before submitting the Program Completion Confirmation request.
Please review the sections below for information pertaining to your specific situation. The staff of the ISSO is pleased to provide you with information, advice and assistance on any visa or immigration matter that relates to your activities at Boston University. Please review the sections below information pertaining to your specific situation.
Current CELOP students moving to a degree program at Boston University
The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) only allows for one active F-1 student immigration record at a time. Therefore, we must wait until the completion of your CELOP program in order to create your new I-20. You should expect the ISSO to issue your new I-20 within 10 business days of the completion of your CELOP program, or within 10 days of receiving your complete admission records from your academic department, whichever is later.
Current students moving to a new program at Boston University
Students admitted to a graduate or non-degree program will be instructed to complete a Program Completion Confirmation request to document your plans to complete one program and move to another.
If you are graduating from Boston University and immediately beginning a new academic program, F-1 immigration regulations require that you receive your new Form I-20 within 60 days from the completion of your current program. If you are unable to receive the new I-20 within 60 days, then you may be required to travel home and apply for a new F-1 visa to commence your new program of study.
It is important to understand that once your new Form I-20 has been issued, you forfeit your eligibility to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at your current level. If you are considering applying for post-completion OPT or have any questions regarding how a change of program will impact your OPT eligibility, you should confer with your ISSO advisor and indicate your plans on the Program Completion Confirmation request.
Can I Work On-Campus In Between Programs?
Students moving from one program to another at Boston University may continue or begin new on-campus employment in between academic programs after they have completed Initial ISSO Check-In for the new program. Students generally complete check-in within 30 days of their program start date. Change of Level students in the US who wish to complete check-in to begin on-campus employment prior the 30-day check-in period should email issogac@bu.edu.
Change of Level students are required to complete a form I-9 at the start of their employment.
Will I have the same SEVIS Number?
Your SEVIS record number will remain the same for your new academic program at Boston University, provided that you have maintained your F-1 status and have met all immigration deadlines. The SEVIS number is an 11-digit number that begins with “N00”. The SEVIS number is posted on the top left-hand corner of your I-20, and on the lower left-hand side of the F-1 visa, above the school name.
Travel Outside of the US Between Programs
You are eligible to remain the in the US in between academic programs at Boston University. However, if you choose to depart the US, you must present your new I-20, a valid F-1 visa, and a valid passport in order to re-enter the US in F-1 status.
Do I need to get a new F-1 visa?
You may have a valid F-1 visa in your passport, if that F-1 visa has not yet expired, it will remain valid for your new program. If the F-1 visa in your passport has expired (or if you do not yet have an F-1 visa in your passport), you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa in order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. (Individuals travelling with Canadian passports do not need to obtain F-1 visas in their passports, however, they must travel with their valid Canadian passport and Boston University I-20.)
If you do not plan to depart the US you do not need to obtain a new F-1 visa. Please understand that the F-1 visa in your passport is a travel document. Individuals who continue to maintain valid F-1 status may remain in the U.S. even if the F-1 visa has expired. You will only need a valid F-1 visa if you depart the US to re-enter in F-1 status.
If you plan to travel prior to beginning your new degree program please refer to the Travel & Visas section for more information on important immigration-related topics.
BU students currently on a period of OPT who will begin a new degree program at BU
Your Optional Practical Training employment authorization will automatically end once a new I-20 is created for your new degree program. Therefore, it is important that you complete and submit the Program Completion Confirmation request in the ISSOPortal to notify ISSO your intended last day of employment.
Please keep in mind that you will be required to end your employment under OPT once classes begin as you are not eligible to begin a new program of study during OPT. If you any questions about choosing an appropriate employment end date, please confer with your employer and/or the ISSO Staff. It is very important that you have submitted all of the required employment documentation and that you have reviewed your current number of unemployment days with your ISSO advisor to be sure you are eligible to continue to your new program with your current SEVIS record.
It is important that you submit all required documents and pay attention to all instructions as your new I-20 must be issued within 60 days from the completion date of your OPT. If you are unable to receive the new I-20 within your grace period, you may be required to travel home and apply for a new F-1 visa to commence your new program of study. You should expect your new Form I-20 to be issued within 10 business days of the employment end date indicated on the Program Completion Confirmation request. We will notify you when the Form I-20 has been issued.
Can I stay in the US after I complete my program or OPT?
Students moving from one program to another at Boston University may remain in the US between the end of their academic program or Optional Practical Training (OPT) if their new academic program will begin within 5 months.
If you graduate in January, you may wish to return home until the beginning of your academic program in September. If you return home, you may be issued a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number, you will need to pay a new SEVIS fee, and you will only be eligible to enter the US a maximum of 30 days prior to the start of your new academic program.
If you are a January graduate, you may be eligible to apply for and participate in OPT for the months of February to August. Students who are participating in OPT are not eligible to begin a new degree program while on OPT and must maintain status under F-1 OPT.
If your OPT ends more than 5 months before your new academic program, you may choose to return home or enroll in classes in an earlier semester.
It is very important that you let the ISSO (issogac@bu.edu) know of your plans by submitting the complete Certification of Program Completion Form as quickly and accurately as possible. Please submit all required documents and pay attention to all instructions as your new I-20 must be issued within 60 days from the completion date of your current academic program. If you are unable to receive the new I-20 within your grace period, you may be required to travel home and apply for a new F-1 visa to commence your new program of study.
Required International Student Check-in
Since you are beginning a new program of study at Boston University, you must complete new international student check-in at the ISSO. Detailed information about international student check-in reservations and deadlines will be sent to you via email as the start date of your new program approaches.
Are J-1 students eligible for a change of level?
J-1 students may be eligible for a change of program DS-2019 much like F-1 students provided they meet the similar eligibility requirements. However, J-1 students must complete a change of level within 30 days from their program completion. Once ISSO receives your file from your admissions department, we will reach out to you for more information. If J-1 students have any questions about the change of level process in SEVIS, they should email ISSO as issogac@bu.edu.
